Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 494

Chapter 494: Joyful Dinner

The glow of the setting sun spilled through the wide windows of the Italian restaurant, draping everything in a soft amber warmth. The smell of garlic and herbs hung in the air, mingling with laughter and the quiet hum of conversations from other diners.

It was early evening, and the table by the window—the one that had slowly become their table—was already set with two glasses of red wine, and the familiar, flickering candlelight that always made Athena’s heart settle.

Ewan was leaning back slightly in his chair, his expression relaxed for the first time in days. Across from him, Athena swirled her glass of wine thoughtfully, the tiny reflections dancing across her face. It had been a long day—but a good one.

He had taken her shopping earlier, and for once, not in any of the glittering malls she used to haunt for workwear or press events. He had driven her instead to a quiet street corner, where an old book café sat tucked between flower shops. The place smelled like aged paper and roasted coffee beans, its shelves stuffed with novels and poetry collections.

They had spent hours there—talking, laughing, losing track of time. About everything and nothing. About childhood dreams, mistakes they wouldn’t change, and futures they weren’t afraid to imagine anymore.

Athena had found herself listening more than speaking, watching Ewan light up when he talked about music or the twins or the books that got him through his rough years.

And now, sitting across from him, with the hum of the restaurant surrounding them, it felt like they had finally stepped into peace.

“The minister,” she said after a quiet pause, setting her glass down. “He’s been taken into containment.”

Ewan’s brows rose slightly, interest flickering in his eyes. “Containment? Not prison?”

She nodded. “I told the president I don’t believe he’s the main sponsor. He knows too much, yes, but there’s someone else pulling the strings. Someone bigger. They’re keeping him isolated for questioning.”

Ewan nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful as he cut into his pasta. “I agree. There’s no way he had the kind of power or network to build and fund something as complex as the Grey Virus alone. If he talks, we might finally get to the core.”

Athena sighed, leaning back in her seat. “It’s strange, though. The hospitals have been quieter. The virus patients have trickled down these last few days, like whoever was spreading it suddenly… stopped.”

Ewan looked up at her, the corner of his mouth twitching into a half-smile. “Maybe they’re scared.”

“Of what?”

“Of being caught,” he said simply. “They can feel the net closing in.”

There was something about the way he said it—steady, confident—that made Athena’s chest tighten with warmth. For the first time, it really did feel like an ending. The chaos, the fear, the long nights of doubt—they were winding down.

“But I still think Kael and the rest of that gang are hiding out together,” Ewan continued, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Spider thinks the same. Most of their old spots have been raided already—half of them empty, half abandoned in a rush. If Kael’s still alive, that’s where he’ll be.”

Athena frowned, leaning forward slightly. “You think Fiona’s with them?”

“I do.” His tone was calm, but his eyes hardened. “And the fact that Spider hasn’t given the green light yet tells me he’s waiting for something—maybe confirmation that they’re all in one place.”

“Then it’s just a matter of time,” she said softly.

He nodded. “Exactly.”

The conversation faded for a moment, replaced by the gentle sounds of plates and quiet music. Ewan reached across the table and covered her hand with his. The gesture was light, but grounding.

“You did well with this matter,” he said quietly. “With the president. With the public. You’ve handled all of this better than anyone could have.”

She smiled faintly, brushing her thumb over his fingers. “I learned from you.”

Ewan chuckled. “Flattery won’t get you dessert.”

“I wasn’t trying to get dessert,” she teased, but her cheeks were already warm.

Before she could say more, her phone buzzed softly on the table. The screen lit up with a name that made her smile.

“Grandfather,” she murmured, answering it. “Hello, Grandpa.”

“Athena! Have you been watching the news?” his cheerful voice boomed through the speaker.

“Yes,” she said, laughing. “I saw the minister being escorted out. I can practically hear your celebration from here.”

“You should! It’s about time justice started rolling. Where are you, my dear?”

“In an Italian restaurant,” she replied, glancing up at Ewan who raised an amused brow. “Having dinner with Ewan.”

“Ah! Dinner, you say?” Her grandfather chuckled knowingly. “Invite the family, will you? We’ve all been wondering where you two vanished off to!”

Athena covered her mouth, giggling. “Alright, Grandpa. You win. Dinner’s on us then.”

Ewan leaned closer to the phone. “Tell them to hurry, sir, before she eats all the tiramisu.”

Her grandfather’s laughter boomed so loud half the restaurant must have heard it. “You heard him, everyone’s coming!”

Athena ended the call, still laughing, and motioned for one of the servers. “We’ll be expecting guests,” she said warmly.

The server blinked, eyes widening slightly when recognition dawned. “Of course, Dr. Athena. Mr. Ewan. Right away!” He practically ran off to inform his manager, whispering something excitedly about “important guests” and “publicity.”

Ewan smirked. “You just made that man’s week.”

“Good,” she said with a grin. “He looks like he deserves it.”

Moments later, the restaurant doors opened, and in came her family—Grandfather leading the charge, followed by his wife, her children, her friends, Aiden and Susan, Zane and Sandro trailing behind. The air shifted immediately, laughter and chatter filling the room like sunlight flooding a window.

“You two!” Aiden exclaimed, shaking his head as he reached the table. “We were wondering where you disappeared to!”

“Apparently on a date,” Sandro muttered, sliding into the seat beside Zane. “While we were at home waiting.”

Ewan raised a brow. “I call it strategy.”

That made everyone laugh, even Athena’s grandfather, who was already busy ordering his favorite wine. The dinner that followed was loud, cheerful, and full of life. For the first time in ages, there was no tension at the table—no hidden hurt, no careful silences. Just joy over a case getting solved.

Athena found herself laughing more than eating. Every joke, every clink of glasses felt like a small victory over the pain that had once shadowed them all.

But then—

As she lifted her glass, something caught her eye. A flicker of movement near the restaurant window. A shadow, a familiar outline—tall, broad-shouldered. Her breath hitched.

She blinked, heart thudding, and turned deliberately to look.

Nothing.

Just the faint reflection of candlelight and people passing outside. The rational part of her mind whispered that she was being paranoid, that the long days and sleepless nights were finally playing tricks.

Still, the chill that slithered down her spine said otherwise.

Maybe it was her imagination. Or maybe Antonio was watching.

Before she could dwell on it, her phone buzzed again.

Fiona.

Read Gianna and Zane’s story in Dark revenge of a Jilted Bride!